R500m prison for Port Shepstone

Port Shepstone - Planning for a R500m prison for KwaZulu-Natal’s Port Shepstone has started, the Hibiscus Coast municipal manager said on Thursday.

"We are very excited about the project because we believe that it will bring major economic spinoffs for our area," Sbu Mkhize told Sapa after a council meeting in Port Shepstone.

Building a prison had been on the government's drawing board since 2002.

"Former president Thabo Mbeki announced that Port Shepstone, together with other five areas would have prisons. The process in other areas is in a very advanced stage, but here it lagged behind."

The land the municipality bought for the construction of the prison had been found to be unsuitable.

"There is now no commitment from the department and we will soon have a meeting where this matter is going to be discussed."

According to a report presented during the council meeting, the correctional services department recently reaffirmed its commitment to building a prison.

The correctional services and public works departments and the municipality would discuss the matter, Mkhize said.

Port Shepstone's existing prison was too small and old.

“We believe that the community will not oppose the construction of the prison, because it will be more secure than the one that we have. It will also create jobs and hundreds of prison officials will settle here.”

The Democratic Alliance's South Coast constituency chairperson Dough Rawlins said his party was excited about the project.

“We all agree that the prison is good for our area.”

Comments

USSA - 2011-06-30 21:21

They all talk economics...just economics.

Squeegee Pilot - 2011-06-30 21:32

The planners and contractors will hopefully also be the first inmates...

Sit-hole - 2011-06-30 22:41

SA's rdp housing strategy seems to be going on the right track. ANCrap are starting to see the needs of the South African peaple.
Well done

Sit-hole - 2011-06-30 22:47

“We all agree that the prison is good for our area.”
If only they would consider building one in my area.

Stanley Black - 2011-07-01 07:49

As a South African this is an issue that I feel is not given the attention it should. It need everyday South Africans to formulate opinions on it and for those opinions to be debated and commented on as a society. www.WeCanDoBetter.co.za is somewhere you can do all that, go check it our submitting and commenting is easy and requires no registration.

Mulder - 2011-07-01 09:15

Now maybe there famous local drug dealer can live closer to home....... O what am I thinking this convicted drug dealer is not in jail.

umhlopo - 2011-07-27 18:51

500 mil for a prison, it probably has jacuzis,tennis courts and luxury spa,the fat cats are probably building itfor themselves in case they they get found out with all their underhanded dealings